A Birthday Party Turned Nightmare: The Shocking Truth Behind Incheon's Homemade Gun Murder

When Family Celebrations Turn Deadly

Picture this: a birthday party in a luxurious high-rise apartment in Songdo, one of Incheon's most modern districts. Family members gathered, children playing, a meal prepared with love. But in mere seconds, this warm scene transformed into a nightmare that would shock all of South Korea.

On July 20, 2025, at approximately 9:31 PM, 62-year-old Mr. Cho fired a homemade shotgun at his 34-year-old son during what was supposed to be a celebration of his own birthday. The son had organized the party, inviting his wife, two young children, and even a foreign language tutor to celebrate his father. But instead of gratitude, the father brought death.

When police arrived at the 33rd-floor apartment in Songdo International City, they found a scene of horror. The victim had been hit by two shotgun pellets filled with metal balls and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite emergency treatment, he died from his injuries. Meanwhile, the suspect had already fled the scene in his vehicle, triggering a massive manhunt across the Seoul metropolitan area.

The Chilling Details: Bombs, Guns, and Meticulous Planning

What makes this case even more disturbing is the level of preparation involved. This was no crime of passion or sudden rage. Police investigation revealed that Mr. Cho had been planning this attack for nearly 11 months, starting as early as August 2024.

After his arrest at 12:20 AM in Seoul's Seocho district, roughly three hours after the shooting, Mr. Cho made a shocking confession to police: he had planted explosive devices in his Seoul apartment. This revelation triggered an emergency evacuation of 46 nearby residents to a local health center at 1:30 AM. When police bomb disposal teams searched his Dobong-gu residence, they discovered 15 homemade explosive devices made from paint thinner bottles, detergent containers, and milk cartons, along with an ignition device set to detonate at noon the following day.

But that wasn't all. Investigators found 9 additional gun barrels in his car and residence, revealing the extent of his arsenal. According to police reports, Mr. Cho had learned how to manufacture firearms by watching YouTube tutorials. The weapon used in the murder was a pipe-based shotgun loaded with buckshot pellets. During interrogation, investigators discovered he had even practiced shooting and driving routes multiple times before the actual crime.

Money, Betrayal, and a Twisted Sense of Revenge

So what could drive a father to murder his own child? The answer, according to profilers and police investigation, lies in a toxic mix of financial grievances and perceived betrayal.

Mr. Cho told profilers that he had been registered as an employee of his family's company and received approximately 3 million won per month in salary. However, this payment allegedly stopped in 2024. He claimed that after the money stopped, he survived on a lump sum withdrawal from his national pension. The financial cutoff reportedly came from his ex-wife, who is the CEO of a successful company, while his son also held a representative position.

Police reports indicate that Mr. Cho developed what investigators describe as delusional thinking, believing his ex-wife and son had conspired together to trap him. He allegedly told investigators that his son, who was his only remaining family member, had turned his back on him, causing feelings of profound betrayal. The timing of the murder is particularly revealing: it occurred the day before the victim's family was scheduled to leave for the United States, suggesting premeditated timing to maximize impact.

Public Reaction: Shock, Anger, and Rampant Misinformation

The case sent shockwaves through South Korean society and sparked intense debate online. Community reactions on platforms like Naver, Daum, and various forums revealed a mix of horror, disbelief, and anger. Many netizens expressed shock that such violence could occur in peaceful Songdo, known for its modern architecture and international community.

However, the case also became a breeding ground for misinformation and conspiracy theories. False rumors spread rapidly across online communities claiming the suspect was a naturalized Chinese citizen, that the victim was a stepson, or that the case was connected to an unrelated incident from 2023. Police repeatedly had to issue statements clarifying that these claims were completely false.

Legal experts and citizens alike raised questions about sentencing for parricide cases in South Korea. Unlike countries such as the UK and France, which impose harsher sentences for killing one's children, South Korea does not have specific aggravated penalties for such crimes. This sparked debate about whether laws should be strengthened to reflect the severity of murdering one's own offspring. The case also raised concerns about homemade weapon proliferation and the need for better monitoring of online tutorials that could facilitate illegal firearms manufacturing.